FL: How to get from Key Largo to Key West...

We wanted to start early on Sunday, get ourselves adjusted to Eastern time and get going into the Keys.
We had breakfast at IHop and then made a quick stop thru Krispy Kremes, 2 hot and fresh glazed donuts.

MJR: Hey take a picture of this. This will drive my mother crazy.
ALR: Okay it’s sent.
Bing (received text)
Michele: Are you flipping kidding me!
Bing (received text)
Michele: I’m having toast.
MJR & ALR: BWAHAHAHA

Before leaving Florida City (with the top down), we stopped at an attraction on our map- Robert is Here Fruit Stand. It was beautiful. We wandered around there for hours looking at the beautiful fruits, vegetables, herbs, honeys and more. The hardest part is we knew we couldn't really buy anything because we couldn't hold it because of the temperature, we couldn't cook anything, because of the amenities, and we couldn't send it back home to savor. Both Matt and I commented on the beautiful onions and the mints and the prices. We spent a good amount of time there and even checked out the petting zoo out back where we disappointed a goose because we had nothing to offer. We did grab a cherry lime milkshake, a mango, and a tangerine before getting on the road. I wish I could make a copycat of the milkshake, it was amazing.

When we headed into the Keys, we found a room for ourselves at the Courtyard, where they had great hospitality and the room was far superior to the last one we managed to get. We chose the hotel because of the proximity to the dive shop that we’d be using the next day. After unloading, we headed to Islamorada to check out the gigantic nautical flea market that had given us so much grief. It wasn't like anything I’d seen. It was like the perfect compromise to a vendor show. Craft, art, clothing intermingled with fishing rods, hooks, dive gear, boat stuff, and more. Worth the viewing to take it all in.

From there we headed deeper into the keys, stopping at random spots along the way. Including lunch at “The Wreck” We started the meal off with a smoked fish dip on crackers that was really great and I want to try to duplicate at some time. Matt had a Mahi Jerk Sandwich and I enjoyed a coconut encrusted grouper sandwich. It was a beautiful ride with the clear blue water and the sun.

We got into Key West a little before the sun started going down. We parked, discovered the town has a healthy flock of wandering chickens, and wandered about town. We headed down Duvall and did a true Duvall Crawl.

We stopped at art galleries-even purchased a couple for ourselves, bought a couple postcards, and at the Island Dog enjoyed a couple
beers and half a dozen oysters. We got a craving for key lime pie and Matt located Kermit’s where we enjoyed a piece on their porch and headed to the Southern Most Point. Closest we've been to Cuba. Was cool to see such an iconic piece of the Keys. We also made sure we walked by Hemingway’s home, no didn't glimpse any of the 6-toed cats, and took in Mile Marker 0.

It was dark before we headed up the 100 miles back to Key Largo.

MJR: Do you notice all the houses are stilts?
ALR: Yes, I’m assuming it has to do with the weather, dampness, flooding, and all.
ALR: It looks pretty.
MJR: I don’t know. Seems like an invitation. To all the creepy crawly things that I don’t like, come live UNDER neath me! Eww

Ironically, when you put Matt and I's wardrobe choices together, it's like we were destined to visit the Southernmost Point that day.